Nicolás Tagliafico spoke about the Argentina national team and the World Cup.
Tagliafico was at a press conference with Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni where Scaloni spoke about the team and Lionel Messi not starting against Jordan. In the same press conference, Tagliafico spoke about the team. Here is what he had to say:
“It’s an immense pride because one doesn’t sit around counting the matches but works day by day to make them as numerous as possible. It’s nice to back a little to the past to remember the moments lives.
“We have players of high quality in midfield and sometimes that makes one serve more as support and there are also matches that demand more defending. The team’s unity makes things go well for the national team.
“Maybe I’m living this moment and don’t realize it as much but surely in the future, I’ll remember it with a lot of happiness. Sometimes one stops to appreciate and it’s very nice.
“I’m in optimal condition to play. As for the group, it’s very competitive and doesn’t let up.
“Every player that comes to the national team wants to be here, to do their best for their team mate. When you bring together players with the same mindset, it becomes difficult for the opponent. A very tough national team is formed.
“I think the team is working with the same harmony as before and let’s hope things start falling into place. We shouldn’t put pressure on ourselves.
“One thing we have clear is that we cannot relax. Every player has to work to the maximum because that internal competition makes us better.
“I think one of the team’s characteristics is that it adapts to situations. The national team understands that well and knows how to adapt to moments, emotions and that is important in such an even World Cup.
“I think today, the team is more mature, there are champions and that brings experience. But we know that we cannot let our guard down because things are defined by details.
“Our trainings are intense and that helps us not to relax and to maintain the necessary contact with the ball. Physically and mentally, that helps us a lot.”
There are no easy opponents in the Round of 16. At this stage, FIFA rankings and history count for very little. Every team leaves its reputation at the dressing-room door and gives everything on the pitch.
If we’re facing Cape Verde, we need to be at our absolute best.
One change I’d make is bringing Tagliafico into the starting XI in place of Medina. Medina has had a solid tournament overall, but there have been a few moments where he seemed caught flat-footed, allowing attackers to get above him. In the knockout rounds, those split-second lapses can be the difference between progressing and going home.
This is where experience and defensive awareness become priceless.
The game against Cape Verde will be tricky. Cape Verde defense is very structured and discipline; therefore, it will require Argentina to be clinical in front of goal. I am sure Argentina can or will create one or two chances and guys like Molina, Paredes, Enzo, McAllister, Messi with powerful shots will make a difference. The team is strong mentally to wait patiently for penalties if it comes down to that and Martinez will certainly be ready. The game might also turn out to be a goal feast if Argentina scores early, but we certainly know the team will not take Cape Verde lightly and we’ll be able to evaluate Argentina versus a formidable defensive opponent. I expect a very compact Cape Verde team ready to die on the field to prevent Argentina from scoring, but Argentina will certainly study the games Cape Verde played in the group stage to find weaknesses to defeat them.